Social Security Medical

[Yellowtail]

I have Social Security medical, but have not used it since relocating to Bangkok a few years ago.  I have using Sikarin Hospital in Bang Na by paying cash, and I have been reasonably hoppy with them.  

 

This year I changed my Social Security hospital to be Sikarin. 

 

Should I expect the service to be any different being treated as a Social Security customer as opposed to a cash customer?

 

Does anyone have any experience with a situation such as this? 

[KhunKenAP]

As long as you pay the monthly fee you are covered, whether you have used the SS medical system or not.

 

You will have to report to their SS room in the hospital first to get any diagnosis or referrals, before going to see any other specialty Doctors. Sometimes very busy. Other than that, no big problems. If you need drugs that is where you will pick them up. Usually no charge, unless something they do not normally have.

[Sheryl]

I did not realize Sikarin was open to new SS enrollment. A great choice.

 

Care should be no different. Just the payment procedure. When you go to cashier they should see you in the computer listed as SS.  Might be good to verify in advance the first time that they do have you so listed. Now that they are no longer using SS cards, they rely on computerized listing and some SS offices have difficulty entering foreigners if they don't have a Thai ID card. (It can be done, but some SS offices seem nto to know how).

 

While some hospitals might have a process requiring you to get a referral to see a specialist I don't think they all do.

 

In some hospitals at initial registration there are different lines for SS. But might not be at Sikarin since it is a small-ish private hospital.

[Yellowtail]

2 hours ago, KhunKenAP said:

As long as you pay the monthly fee you are covered, whether you have used the SS medical system or not.

 

You will have to report to their SS room in the hospital first to get any diagnosis or referrals, before going to see any other specialty Doctors. Sometimes very busy. Other than that, no big problems. If you need drugs that is where you will pick them up. Usually no charge, unless something they do not normally have.

 

I have then pull it from my account automatically so I don't need to worry about keeping up with it.

 

Are prescriptions "free"? If so, that should save me a couple thousand a month....

[Yellowtail]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I did not realize Sikarin was open to new SS enrollment. A great choice.

 

Care should be no different. Just the payment procedure. When you go to cashier they should see you in the computer listed as SS.  Might be good to verify in advance the first time that they do have you so listed. Now that they are no longer using SS cards, they rely on computerized listing and some SS offices have difficulty entering foreigners if they don't have a Thai ID card. (It can be done, but some SS offices seem nto to know how).

 

While some hospitals might have a process requiring you to get a referral to see a specialist I don't think they all do.

 

In some hospitals at initial registration there are different lines for SS. But might not be at Sikarin since it is a small-ish private hospital.

 

Yeah, I was a little surprised. I did have to process a "name change" as my "Thai" name on the pink ID did not match my "Thai" name on my Social Security account for whatever reason.  After the name change I also had to open a new bank account with the new Thai spelling so that I could continue with the automatic withdrawals. Should be all set now, apparently I should just be able to show the pink ID and get service. 

 

Hopefully the doctors are compensated the same way for SS & cash customer...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

20 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

I have then pull it from my account automatically so I don't need to worry about keeping up with it.

 

Are prescriptions "free"? If so, that should save me a couple thousand a month....

Yes, drugs are covered. Except for things not on the standard government list.

[Sheryl]

9 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Yeah, I was a little surprised. I did have to process a "name change" as my "Thai" name on the pink ID did not match my "Thai" name on my Social Security account for whatever reason.  After the name change I also had to open a new bank account with the new Thai spelling so that I could continue with the automatic withdrawals. Should be all set now, apparently I should just be able to show the pink ID and get service. 

 

Hopefully the doctors are compensated the same way for SS & cash customer...

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have the pink ID card and SS has that number should be fine. The people who have had problems have been those without an ID card. (Yet another reason it is good to have).

[Yellowtail]

Thanks Sheryl, I'll give it a try at my next visit in April and report back...